Increasing GP prescribers of Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT)

CESPHN, the Ministry of Health, South East Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), and St Vincent’s Health Network (SVHN) have collaborated on the development of online resources to better support GPs in delivering expanded access to Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) in our region, as well as an online registration form to indicate interest in receiving more information about ODT prescribing.

CESPHN also works with SESLHD, SLHD and SVHN to deliver the GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drugs (GLAD) Program.

The GLAD Program aims to support GPs in managing patients with concerns around their use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Via the program, an experienced AOD Clinical Nurse Consultant can provide support to GPs and their patients via:

• Phone Advice
•  Practice visits
• Assessment and treatment plans
• Collaborative shared care

Click here for more information on how to contact or refer to the GLAD services in each part of the CESPHN region.

• ODT is evidence-based health care which supports patients to achieve dramatic improvements in their health.
• Expanding access to ODTs including long-acting injectable buprenorphine, sublingual buprenorphine and methadone is a priority for NSW Health as it assists people to markedly improve their quality of life and decreases morbidity and mortality.
• General practitioners have a unique and important role to play in providing holistic care for people in the community, and this can include providing ODT for patients when needed.
• A local support and advice network including staff from your local health district and our primary health network can support you with information and guidance.
• Where patients are accessing ODT from a public clinic and wish to transfer to a GP prescriber, any transfer of clients will focus on those who are low acuity and low risk.
• You can opt out at any time, and we can work with you to facilitate a transfer back if you feel a patient requires specialist care from a public drug and alcohol clinic.

Prescribing ODT benefits patients by:

• Improving patient’s sense of wellbeing and health outcomes
• Ensuring equitable treatment and access to health care
• Supporting patients to access ODT alongside getting treatment for other health needs

Benefits for prescribers include:

• Witnessing dramatic health gains and improvements to people’s lives
•  Ability to build trusting relationships with patients
• The satisfaction of providing equitable and non-stigmatised care to patients
• The opportunity to reestablish trust with the medical profession with people who are disenfranchised and may have had poor experiences of care
• Ability to provide whole person care
• Ability to influence and change overall health outcomes
• Supporting people to integrate treatment as a normal part of their life experience
• Joy in seeing patients achieve stable outcomes.